Martin Bridge, Steel truss bridge in Taree, Australia.
Martin Bridge is a steel truss structure that spans 463 meters across the Manning River and rests on eleven spans supported by concrete pillars. Three additional steel girder approach sections extend from the main span to connect the bridge to both sides of the road.
The bridge opened in 1940 and replaced a steam-driven ferry service that had operated since 1902. This opening transformed how people and goods moved across the Manning River in the local region.
The structure is named after Lewis Ormsby Martin, a government official who oversaw public works and local government matters in New South Wales. The name reflects his influence on regional infrastructure development.
The bridge connects both sides of Manning River Drive and serves as the primary access route for local traffic following the Pacific Highway rerouting. Pedestrians and cyclists can use it to cross the river, though traffic can be heavy during peak hours.
The original design included a central lifting span with two concrete counterbalances that allowed ships to pass along the Manning River. Though this mechanism is no longer operated, it reflects how engineers of that era thought about balancing river traffic with road access.
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